“We’re going to get rid of her offshore,” Dad said decisively. “No body, no crime.”
“I still think it’s less of a headache to incarcerate her somewhere far away,” I argued.
“If you don’t want to take her out, I’ll do it.” Luca unbuttoned his cuff links, rolling up his sleeves. “Naples can wait a few days. It’s not like Coppola’s going anywhere.”
“Why would I not want to take her out?” I huffed.
“Oh, I think we all know the answer to that question.” Enzo rolled his tongue to the side of his cheek and curled his fist, mimicking a blow job.
“Either you put her down humanely, or I’m sending Tristan Hale to do it.” My father turned to me. “He’ll make a show of it. You know his style.”
Hale was an assassin for hire. A private contractor. And a very twisted son of a bitch. No, thank you.
“I’ll do it,” I said flatly. Fuck it. I’d done worse and for much less.
Tierney Callaghan wanted me dead.
I wanted her,period.
Seemed like neither of us were going to get what we wanted.
“Don’t let me down again,” my father warned. “You hear me?”
“Loud and clear.”
“This is your last chance, Achilles. If you don’t kill her this time…” My sire leveled an emotionless look at me. “I’ll kill you both myself.”
I believed him. If I couldn’t do it this time, I’d be a liability the Camorra couldn’t afford.
On my way out of my parents’ house, I pulled out my phone and unblocked her number. The last message she’d sent me, from eleven years ago, popped up immediately.
Tierney: Please, would you just let me explain myself? I’m begging you.
I knew she was going to get rid of her smartphone before boarding a plane, just as well as I knew she was downloading all her data right about now, just in case. Tierney was a smart, seasoned Mafia princess. I had no doubt I’d catch her—just as I knew she’d make it challenging.
Achilles: I’m giving you a 24 hour head start, then I’m coming for your throat.
Two blue lines decorated the screen.
My heart nearly beat out of my chest.
Tierney: Why’d you let me go in the first place?
Achilles: No one deserves to kill you more than I do. I wasn’t leaving it to chance.
The truth was, I thought Vello might give her another chance. He didn’t. Now I had to eliminate her from our cat-and-mouse game.
No matter. It was all becoming way too messy anyway.
Tierney: So you’re assigned to deal with me.
Achilles: Yes.
Achilles: It will be relatively painless.
Tierney: He was going to send Tristan Hale after me, wasn’t he?
Achilles: Yes.
